When I bought my Chevrolet Avalanche new in 2002, as I left the dealership, I heard a horrible crash and found that the dealer had not latched the rear tail gate. It takes a great amount of effort to close it properly. Since then, on about 10 occasions, the gate has fallen down while driving. Approximately 1 week ago, I found that the left side cable had broken. I was going to call my local dealership today, but, on my way to drop my boys off at school, the gate once again fell down. I stopped and asked my 13 Y.O. to slam the gate. When he tried to do this, the gate bounced back into his face and jammed. When I got out and looked, I saw that the right side hinge was dislocated, the right bottom of the gate was damaged, the left rear taillight was broken, there was a gouge on the left edge of the gate, and a minor paint scratch on the gate near the gouge. I remember hearing about this problem during the last couple of weeks and did a search & found this site. I am hoping the dealer or manufacturer will stand behind this defect and pay for my repairs. Thank you. Gary bosco.

- Glenwood Springs, CO, USA

While letting the tailgate down on my 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche, the tailgate cable on the left side of the bed disintergrated with no load or undue stress.

- Woodstock, GA, USA

Cables that hold up the tailgate on thr 1/2 ton Chevy Avalanche rusted and broke while I was leaning on the tailgate. I fell to the ground and was not injured. My sister-in-law also had a cable on her 2002 1/2 ton Chevrolet pickup broke

- Chesterfield, MO, USA

Tailgate straps are wearing out prematurely.

- East Falmouth, MA, USA

Tailgate cable broke without warning.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

Tailgate cables failed while I was unloading back of Avalanche. I fell to the ground, along with computer equipment I was carrying. Both tailgate cables broke and tailgate fell off truck. Damage to tailgate paint, molding and latch assembly. Dealer quoted approximately $900 worth of damage.

- Cumming, GA, USA

Vehicle was parked in front of the driveway, driver pulled down the tailgate, and cable snapped in half. Consumer was able to lift the cable up and put it inside of the trunk area. Both cables were still attached to the body of the truck. Consumer notified dealer about the problem.

- Midlothian, IL, USA

I have a 2002 Chevy Avalanche. The driver side cable that supports the tailgate snapped while I was standing on the tailgate. Luckily the passenger side cable held or else I would have hit the ground pretty hard, not to mention damage to my tailgate. The cable appears to be completely corroded.

- Pearl City, HI, USA

One of my tailgate cables broke abruptly while I was climbing onto one corner of the tailgate. The corner dropped enough that I was dropped back to the ground. (I weigh about 185 lbs). I then inspected the other cable and saw no evidence of a problem, but when I leaned on that corner of the tailgate, the second cable also broke. I called my dealer, but since I was out of warranty on mileage, I was told that it would not be covered and that there were no service bulletins. I then opened a file with GM field service, and have not heard any response.

- Troy, OH, USA

Both of my tailgate cables snapped while unloading an atv. Luckily I was not injured when the atv, ramps, and the tailgate all fell when both cables snapped at the same time. 2002 Chevy Avalanche 2500 4X4

- Oviedo, FL, USA

The tailgate cables on my 2002 Chevy Avalanche unexpededly broke while a friend and I were unloading a home gym. Both cables snapped in the middle at the same time. This resulted in the tailgate dropping and my friend and I almost falling with the home gym on top of us. I slightly strained my back but we had no significant injury. Luckily we have good balance.

- Converse, TX, USA

Tailgate cable snapped on a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche while loading atv. Cables snapped in the middle of the cable and not at ends. I was assured by sales representative that the tailgate can handle the weight of an atv. The the truck bed has an atv tread embedded into the mat to add traction while loading and unloading. I believe the cables need to be recalled and corrected before someone else is injured. I was quoted an estimate of $123 to fix. I want the manufacturer to pay for the damage since it resulted in a manufacturing defect.

- Pewaukee, WI, USA

The tailgate cables snapped on my 2002 Avalanche. The failure points on the cables were rusted and corroded.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

Both my tailgate cables snapped at the same time on my 2002 Chevy Avalanche on a boy scout camp out. Two of the fathers (about 400 lbs) were sitting on the tailgate when they both snapped. Lucky that they landed on their feet and did not get hurt. Both look like they are black and corroded from the inside. Snapped at the same place on both cables.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA